Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a full-rate production contract from the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command for its AN/SPQ-9B shipboard radar systems, which will enhance detection and tracking of high-speed threats such as sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.

Under the fixed-price $26.2 million contract, Northrop Grumman’s Naval and Marine Systems Division facility in Melville, N.Y., will supply four shipsets. The contract includes options that could bring the total value to $281.5 million. The options encompass a wide range of U.S. aircraft carriers, cruisers and amphibious assault ships, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter.

The high-resolution X-band AN/SPQ-9B search radar sets will greatly improve the ability to defend against small high-speed threats, such as surface-skimming anti-ship missiles, and will be integrated with the ships’ fire-control systems. The multi-mission radar systems are designed to detect small fast-moving targets in the presence of clutter from ocean waves, rain and land returns, as well as chaff and jamming.